Scottish Clans
Carruthers Tartans & Clan
The surname 'Carruthers' is traced back to the region of Dumfriesshire. There is also an old legend that the Carruthers family may possible be descendants of ColeHen, King of Cumbria (or Old King Cole as he became known) because one of his sons, Rhideris, built a caer, or castle, near Ecclefechan. In the 13th century the Carruthers were stewards of Annandale under the Bruces. Historically, the principal strongholds of the Clan were Mouswald, Holmains, Dormont, Little Dalton and Rammerscales and a few others.
Who Wears Carruthers Tartan? - Associated Names
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
- Carrutherses
- Caruthers
- Carothers
- Carrithers
- Carithers
- Corruthers
- Corrithers
- Cruthers
- Carothers
- Crouthers
- Carruther
- Creuder
- Cardus
- Carother
- Carouthers
- Carradice
- Carrauthers
- Carrederys
- Carrodus
- Carrotheris
- Carrithorys
- Carrothis
- Carutherys
- Caruthris
- Carrotheris
- Carruthirs
- Caruderis
- Caruyeris
- Cerrothers
- Corithers
- Crathers
- Cridders
- Curthers
- Crowthers
- Karruthers
- Karruther
Carruthers Tartans
1 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
Carruthers Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Carruthers
Territories
Clan Carruthers is a Scottish Borders Clan. The Carruthers lived in one of the most dangerous and violent parts of the region, home to the habit of reiving, where the clans raided their neighbours back and forth across the border with England.
Clan Chief
After a long 210 years without a leader, Clan Carruthers now has once again a recognised Chief. Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains has been recognised as Chief of Clan Carruthers by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Dr Simon Peter Carruthers is an Agricultural Scientist and is the co-founder of the Farming Community Network. He is a great asset to his clan; alongside his passion for his job Dr Simon also leads a Christian charity to support the Rural church. Dr Simon was anointed Chief of Clan Carruthers in August 2019- this process took the society 10 years of research, nearly 20 months of analysis by The Lord Lyon and two hearings at the Lyon Court in Edinburgh.
Where does the name Carruthers come from?
The origin of the Carruthers name owes its self to the ancient Brythonic fort called ' Caer Rydderch'. Caer meaning fort and Rydderch was a personal name. You can still see parts of the old fort on Carruthers hill or view the ruins from Carruthers farm. The personal name Rydderch is pronounced Ruthers in the Cumbric dialect, thus giving a clear explanation to the widely known name Carruthers and it's other forms.
Clan Carruthers Plant Badge
The plant badge of Clan Carruthers is Yellow Gorse. Yellow gorse is native to the British Isles and some parts of Western Europe. It very strangely has a scent of coconut which when in bloom is very strong and makes the plant unmistakable. Folklore says you should only kiss your beloved when gorse is in flower.
Where is the seat of the Carruthers Clan?
The historic seat of the clan is Mouswald Tower, located 6 miles south-east of Dumfries. The tower was built in the 15th century and unfortunately there is not much remaining today, just the eastern half. In 1548 the chief of Clan Carruthers, Simon Carruthers, was killed in a raid on the border and his daughter married into the Douglas family, meaning the tower was taken over by the Douglases.
What is the Clan Carruthers Coat of Arms?
Carruthers of Holmains;
Gules, two chevronels engrailed, between three fleurs-de-lis.
This is the current coat of arms for clan Carruthers. However, the Carruthers clan have 13 sets of Arms officially registered in the Carruthers name both in the ancient armorials and the register held by the Lord Lyon.
Do the Carruthers family have a Clan Society?
The Clan Carruthers International Society represents the family and the clan worldwide, it is committed to maintaining the passion and community of one of the historic clans. Members support the clan by sharing it's history, heritage and values, as well as having the opportunity to expand their knowledge and find connections to Carruthers all over the world.
Who was the first Chief of Clan Carruthers?
Thomas Carruthers 1st of Mouswald was the first recognised chief, although Carruthers held the land of Carruthers itself for at least 3 generations before that. For services given, Thomas received a charter of land to include Mouswald, from King Robert the Bruce in 1320.
Do Clan Carruthers have a plaid?
The Carruthers plaid colors have a very important significance to the Clan. The green and purple in the tartan represent the lands of the family's origins in Annandale in Dumfriesshire. The red represents the blood they spilt throughout history for their country, their lands and their families at home and abroad. The subtle white stripe is in recognition to their family's support as Jacobites, for the Royal House of Stuart.
Clan Motto: Ready and Faithful
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